22-24

EP. 24 # 2. (Actress Soo-rim) - Why the Madams of Bars...? (3)

Drip. Drip.

"There's moisture on it."

"Am I supposed to wipe it?"

"You should take responsibility since you didn't do it right. Cheap guy, you should be the one to clean up this mess."

"Ah, damn it. Can't we just have her do it?"

"No, we can't. Remember that time when someone tried to hang themselves with a leash?"

"Ugh, I hate damp things."

The police officer takes out a few paper towels and starts wiping my body.

The paper towels rub my skin roughly. My body, which I always cleaned with soft towels to avoid irritation, is now being treated like a cheap restaurant table.

"Wow, your body is really fit for an actress. My wife would be great if she were like this."

"The problem isn't your wife's body; it's her personality."

"Shut up."

"Why did you marry a woman with human rights? You should marry a livestock like me."

"Ah, right. I guess I was crazy."

My body is being wiped like a dish, with them chatting casually. I worked so hard to build this body...

Every day, I exercised for five hours to create it. And now, it's being treated like this...

I'm devastated. So devastated.

Tears of anger flow down my cheeks. I grit my teeth to avoid making a sound. It's my last bit of dignity.

"Okay, all done. Let's go. Don't make this mistake again."

Slap. The police officer who wiped my body like a dish gives my buttocks a light tap.

No one could touch my body before. Not even the famous erotic film director could conquer it.

But now, my body is being ravaged by this police officer so easily.

I'm devastated. So devastated. But I can do nothing.

I'm now livestock. A livestock without human rights.

"Yes...yes..."

"You're obedient. Let's go."

A slight shock hits my neck, and I move my heavy legs in that direction.

"Good girl."

"Hey, you should be in her shoes. Don't you think she won't cry?"

"That's what happens when you do stupid things."

I hear sympathetic murmurs, but they offer no comfort. I head to the auction house.

I arrive at the auction house. My leash is hung on a prepared hook.

The examiner from the grading facility hands over the documents to the auction staff.

"The grading for Soo-rim, the defendant in case number 2-4294, is complete."

A middle-aged man with a shaved head adjusts his glasses and looks serious.

"Good. You arrived right on time. Exactly on time."

"I tried my best."

"It's not a compliment. Why did you bring such an obedient livestock so late?"

The police officers look flustered.

"It's because she wanted to use the bathroom..."

"What did you do in the bathroom that took so long? Did you touch the merchandise?"

Merchandise. That must refer to me.

Yes, I'm merchandise. I was merchandise before too.

My body. My voice. My acting. People paid to see them.

Now, my body itself has become merchandise. The man who bids the highest will buy me, seeing me naked.

Nothing has changed. Absolutely nothing.

Soo-rim, wake up. Even in this state, I must survive...

And I must get revenge.

Tears flow from my eyes again.

The auction staff notices my state.

"Did you guys touch the merchandise in the bathroom?"

"No! We didn't touch it!!"

"Why is the merchandise crying then?!"

A man approaches me.

"Tell me. Did those guys do something bad to you in the bathroom?"

He uses polite language, which I didn't expect. But don't expect too much.

He calls me "merchandise." He just wants evidence to punish the police.

Even if I tell the truth, I won't be protected.

"No...there was no such thing...no..."

The man frowns slightly but doesn't press further. He just looks me up and down, stopping at my buttocks.

"What about these bruises?"

"That's because she couldn't urinate properly in the toilet..."

"Do you have the right to punish this merchandise?"

The police officers look at each other nervously and can't answer.

"Do you or don't you?!"

"No...we don't!!"

"Why did you punish her then?"

The police officers lower their heads, unable to respond. It's satisfying, but not because they're doing it for me.

"Sorry, auctioneer."

"You've done this many times. Report to your superiors and prepare a written apology."

"Auctioneer!!"

The middle-aged man glares at them, and they leave with their heads down.

"The auction will start in four hours. Please wait comfortably until then."

He still uses polite language with me, even after achieving his goal.

Why...? Why is he being kind to me, a livestock...?

"I'm livestock...why are you treating me so well?"

"I'm not being kind. I'm just annoyed by those people who don't follow the rules."

"But..."

"You shouldn't ask such questions. Women without human rights don't deserve to ask."

It's like a death sentence for me. A reminder of the harsh reality.

But somehow, his words feel warm, despite his cold eyes.

"I'll ask one thing."

He turns away from me and asks:

"Did you really take drugs?"

"No! Absolutely not! I never did!!"

I wanted to keep saying it, but it's pointless.

His question seemed like he might listen, so I let out the frustration I'd been holding back.

"No...no...I really didn't...!!"

"I understand."

He leaves the room and doesn't come back.

"No! I didn't do it! Hahahahaha!!"

My outburst doesn't stop easily. But I won't cry for the next four hours.

These are my last four hours of freedom.

I speak loudly, expressing my feelings, and cry my heart out.

Those actions help me organize my thoughts.

At first, I thought he might be trying to help me. There was a glimmer of hope.

But seeing him leave without coming back, I realized my hope was misplaced.

He showed me mercy. Mercy to express my humiliation and anger after losing my human rights.

I'm grateful to that middle-aged man, even though we only met for about ten minutes. It was sincere.

Four hours later, I'm led to the auction house by a young auctioneer. I still walk on all fours, but he guides me gently, unlike the police.

"Stand on two legs here."

It's strange. They make me crawl on all fours but stand on two legs during the auction.

Clank. Clank.

Instead, they put heavy metal restraints on my hands and feet. The restraints are so heavy that standing is the best I can do.

"Don't open your mouth during the auction. It's a reason for punishment. The punishment is severe, so please follow the rules."

The young auctioneer also treats me like a human. I bow my head in gratitude.

"I hope you find a good owner."

He's a good person too. But this kindness is temporary.

Once I'm sold, I'll belong to someone else. Whoever buys me must know me.

I'm a high-profile actress known for never exposing myself.

It's obvious. I'll likely become a sex toy for that person.

A woman who seemed invincible is now someone's possession, unable to resist.

And they can play with me for life.

What a great product I am.

I look forward. The seats are empty, with only about ten chairs.

Fortunately, not many people will see my naked body.

[The auction for Soo-rim will start at 5 PM. Please enter by 4:55 PM.]

The announcement echoes through the speakers, tearing my heart apart.

The feeling that all my efforts have been torn apart and humiliated is terrifying.

But what makes me even more miserable is hoping that my future owner will be kind to me.

Clank. The auction house door opens, and people enter.

"Uh...? A woman?"

Most of the people entering are women, dressed in feminine attire and looking quite mature. Their makeup is heavy.

I can sense it instinctively. They're from the entertainment industry.

I've heard that some establishments buy livestock to run their businesses.

Livestock are easier to manage than human employees because they have no rights. They can't refuse orders.

It's natural that these women want to buy me. I'm the lead actress from a recent movie that attracted millions.

If I were to run a bar where I provide services...

And if I were livestock that couldn't refuse any requests...

The way they look at me from the auction seats seems like they're eager to buy me.

If they can purchase me, they'll gain a significant increase in sales.

If I'm sold to such a place...I'll be treated worse than a public brothel.

For life...

Uh...? Who is that person?

I see a man entering the auction house, and my body freezes.

Even when I blink again, it doesn't change. The only man who entered is none other than...

My agency director.